BOSS Eddie Howe saw Cherries steal a march on their League One promotion rivals and then heaped praise on his players for their defensive efforts.

Brett Pitman bagged the only goal of the game as Cherries opened a three-point gap in second place courtesy of victory over struggling Scunthorpe at Dean Court.

Pitman registered his 15th goal of the season and netted for the fifth game in succession as Cherries maintained their late surge by claiming a fifth win on the trot.

Cherries, who survived one major let-off when Mark Duffy squandered a great chance for the Iron, also made it four clean sheets in their past five games.

Howe told the Daily Echo: “Our defending in recent weeks has been much improved and it was great to get another clean sheet.

“I don’t care by what score we win as long as we win. We would like a better goal difference at this stage of the season but points are the priority.

“The lads have been very professional in their approach and in seeing out games. When you are winning 1-0, there is a tendency to drop deep and try to defend from you own penalty box for the last 10 to 15 minutes. We haven’t done that and have tried to keep the ball in the opposition’s half.”

Pitman settled the issue in Cherries’ favour when he volleyed home the winner following good work by Marc Pugh and Matt Tubbs after just 11 minutes.

Howe added: “I didn’t think it was our best performance and we have played better. But we were well in control and were the dominant team. We created enough to have won by a greater margin and, at 1-0, it is always tense. But we saw out the game very professionally.

“We were disappointed we didn’t make more of getting into some good attacking positions but, in saying that, we have won a lot of games 1-0 recently. We are defending really well. We protected our goalkeeper, who didn’t have a lot to do, and that is always the sign of a good team.”

Cherries edged ahead of third-placed Brentford after they suffered a 2-0 defeat at MK Dons. Leaders Doncaster maintained a two-point cushion following victory over Swindon, while Sheffield United were held to a 0-0 draw by Carlisle.

Howe added: “The table looks healthier now than it did prior to the game. We are in a decent position but there is still a long way to go. We are on a good run and have four games to go. We will set up with the aim of winning every one. I think we might need to if we are going to stay up there.”

Howe said striker Lewis Grabban, who was sidelined due to a bout of tonsillitis, could be a doubt for the visit of Notts County on Saturday.